Unspoken Words (Hope and a Future Book 1)
Page 33
“I brought you clothes,” Bekah added, “so you won’t have to travel in nightclothes, or Liam’s clothes.” The men gave her privacy and Bekah helped her change. “I guess we won’t be running the school race this year.” Her voice held the tone of a joke; a failed attempt to cover her sadness.
It was hard to believe just earlier that same school year they had been chatting so light-heartedly about the race and about the cute trainer who turned out to be a Captain named Jackson. “You’re like a sister to me. I’m going to miss you terribly.”
Bekah hugged her tight, making her hurt but she didn’t show it. “Just get to Texas,” she insisted. “Get there and enjoy a life away from the trouble you’ve inherited here. If we don’t see each other again here, I’ll see you when we’re with our Lord.”
Chapter 49
Evelyn followed silently behind the man who was once, so recently, her enemy. She agreed to run in hopes of finding a safety she could never know if she stayed. Each step weighed more than the last. Each step took her further from everything and everyone she loved.
Ahead of her was Tom. Behind her was Jackson, and so many unspoken words.
Dear Reader,
Thank you so much for reading my book, Unspoken Words. I know time is a precious thing, and I hope that you enjoyed the time you spent in these pages.
This is my first novel, and though the writing process wasn’t exceedingly lengthy, it took more years than I’d like to admit getting myself to publish it. Now that this task has been completed, I am on to book 2!
I wrote Unspoken Words in response to a dream I had one night. From the very start, and all the way through to the completion, I’ve had two goals…two prayers. The first, that God would be glorified in what I write. More than anything, I love my Heavenly Father. He is so good, so full of grace and love. In storms and in the quiet, my favorite place is holding tight to Him. He is my place of peace. When I opened my computer that first day to begin writing, I knew I wanted to write for Him.
The second prayer is that whoever reads these words I’ve typed would know the love of God. Dearest reader, whether you’ve heard it a million times or never, you are so dear to God’s heart and He loves you so very much.
I’d love to connect with my readers. Social media is all the rage these days, so if you’d like, you can follow me on Instagram or visit my desperately in need up new content website:
Instagram @JannaHalterman
jannahalterman.com
Blessings,
Janna Halterman
Acknowledgements
There are so many amazing people I need to thank for encouraging me and supporting me through the writing and self-publishing of this book, and I won’t do any of them justice by this.
Thank you to my husband for putting up with my crazy stories and dreams, for allowing me to disappear into my land of make-believe, and for loving me through it all.
Thank you to Ashley, BaCall, and Kate for reading and rereading, for encouraging and pushing, and not letting me chicken out of seeing this through to the end. I love you girls and couldn’t have done this without you.
Thank you to Jennae for letting me talk to you about characters like they were real people and for traveling across the country with me to see their world. What an adventure!
To Cara, thank you for our many writing coffee-times and getaways. I cherish those memories so dearly. You knew my characters and what made them tick, and helped me get them on the page.
To Liz, thank you for taking your time and using your amazing talent to edit this book! You are such a blessing.
And Luke! Thank you for helping me with all the tech stuff that hurts my head.
There are so many more people: all the ladies on my launch team and those who read earlier manuscripts and gave feedback…thank you to each and every one of you.
Of course, it is only by God and His grace that allowed me to write and be surrounded by such amazing people. My greatest thank you is to Him.